Coloma was commenting on reports that a group of
lawmakers is calling on the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III
to account for the PHP16-billion foreign aid for victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

The group said that although the typhoon struck
Metro Manila and nearby provinces in 2009, the bulk of the foreign aid was
given in 2010 when President Aquino was already in power.

Coloma said that it is the duty of the
Commission on Audit to examine how the funds had been spent.

He further said that the government is one with
the group “in their advocacy that there should be transparency of information
and accountability of public funds.”

The group is led by Leyte 1st District
Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, whose constituents were affected by
Typhoon Yolanda. Romualdez is also the nephew of former First Lady Imelda
Marcos. PND (ag)

Palace says government is serious in addressing
crimes in the country

Malacanang has assured that the government is
working to solve and prevent crimes from happening in the country.

"What I can say is that the President takes
a very serious and hands-on attitude when it comes to crime and police
matters," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio
Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing on Monday.

Coloma was answering questions on the
administration's response to the spate of crimes occurring in the country,
including the recent killing of a mayor in Pangasinan and a police major in
Quezon City.

"I have been with the President on several
occasions and I have actually witnessed him call up a particular officer to
inquire about an incident report or to make sure that a serious crime is being
handled properly and with utmost urgency," Coloma said.

This is a matter of serious concern that should
prompt our law enforcement authorities to boost their crime prevention efforts,
he said.

The Palace official also called for intensified
public vigilance, saying that effective crime prevention requires the people to
cooperate with law enforcers.